NATCO is applying for a Community Connect Grant that, if awarded, would bring fiber internet services to portions of Rea Valley. We need your help! We want to hear about how fiber services would help improve your quality of life in regards to remote work, telehealth services, and education.
The Community Connect program helps rural communities receive access where broadband service is least likely to be commercially available, but where it can make a tremendous difference in the quality of life for people and businesses. The projects funded by these grants help rural residents tap into the enormous potential of the Internet for jobs, education, healthcare, public safety and community development.
The grant program offers financial assistance to eligible applicants that will construct broadband networks that provide service on a community-oriented connectivity basis in rural areas. Rural areas that lack broadband service as defined in the most recent funding announcement are eligible.
Data from the 2021 Rural Profile of Arkansas
We are trying to bring high-speed internet to Rea Valley, and we need your help. The Community Connect Grant, as its name suggests, is a community effort to connect residents, businesses, farms, and essential public safety offices to broadband services. The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) wants to see that the community within the grant application area has a demonstrated need for quality internet access.
This is where you come in. We want to hear about how fiber services would help improve your quality of life in regard to remote work, telehealth services, and education. Please feel free to use the provided letter template below, OR to write your own letter. All letters submitted to NATCO will be included in the grant application.
Letters can be returned via one of the following options:
In Person
301 East Main Street
Flippin, AR
By Mail
NATCO Attn: Tim R. McEuen
PO Box 209
Flippin, AR
By Email
service@natconet.com
Subject Line: Community Connect Support Letter
We had a great time at our Community Connect Grant Informational Event, and at the RVFPD Pancake Breakfast! Thank you to all who came out.
TIME: 4:00pm to 8:00pm
WHERE: RVFPD Station #1 - 2479 MC 6077, Flippin
NATCO will be hosting a Community Connect Grant informational meeting at the RVFPD Station #1. All area residents are invited to attend. We will be grilling hot dogs, hamburgers and sharing information about the grant. We will also be giving away some awesome door prizes to attendees! Kayak, tent, fishing pole, and more! Stop by and learn how you can help us bring you fiber to the home with the Community Connect Grant.
TIME: 9:00am
The RVFPD is having a pancake breakfast at Station #1 on May 13th starting at 9:00 am. Everyone is welcome to come out, have a good breakfast, enjoy the fellowship, and meet our hard working volunteer firefighters. The board is hosting the event as part of its community outreach efforts. There is no charge, but all donations are appreciated, as they will go toward the support of our EMS/fire fighting equipment and services, as well as additional community outreach activities throughout the year.
NATCO Vice President Tim R. McEuen will be present to answer questions and share information about this grant application process.
TIME: 4pm to 6pm
Meet us at The Talkin' Tree.
The Talkin' Tree is quite literally one of Rea Valley's community connectivity spots. Located at ___ and ___, residents come to The Talkin' Tree to get cellular service because cell signals are not available at their homes. The tree is so commonly known to residents that the maintained gravel parking lot next to the tree fits 3-5 vehicles, and someone has nailed the monkier to the large oak that marks the location.
Stay in the loop as we apply for the Community Connect Grant.
June 20, 2023
Update: The Community Connect Grant application has been submitted! We anticipate news on awards by the end of the third quarter.
June 13, 2023
Update: We are collecting our final letters of support and remaining support documentation for the application. The written pieces are finalized, and we are reviewing everything. We are so close to submitting the final application!
May 30, 2023
Update: Thank you to all who attended our Community Informational Meeting! We were so glad to meet so many of the community members who would benefit from fiber optic internet. We heard your stories about quality broadband access would impact your daily lives. Many of those who attended are helping us spread the word to their neighbors, so thank you!
Congratulations to the winners of our giveaways!
We are in the process of completing the grant application, which involves completing written portions, finalizing proposed build plans, and organizing all of the letters our community leaders and members have sent us. Thank you!
May 17, 2023
Update: Tim had a great time at the Rea Valley Fire Protection District’s Pancake Breakfast last weekend! He had some great conversations about broadband and fiber optic access. We’re receiving letters from area residents who need connectivity, and we’re reading and filing each and every one.
We’re geared up for our Community Informational Meeting on Friday, May 19th! Come join us for good food and important conversations about connectivity, AND enter to win a kayak, tent, and more!
May 2, 2023
Update: Our team is currently gathering all of the required materials as we prepare the grant application. We’re also planning our community outreach efforts.
